for the twenty-ninth time

By Viktor Loh

hold this microphone close

the words will fall out of your mouth like

leaves

dropping from trees

express your need for water

panting

a faceless figure will press these smoldering

coins

against your tongue.

the raft melts into the caustic ocean

climb the mast and claw

away

we will drown together.

In November last year, I had the privilege of attending COP29, the UN climate change conference. The experience left me with mixed feelings about the effectiveness of the UNFCCC and its ability to protect our environment.